The Kremlin stated today that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkowitz “violated Russian law” and caught “in the act”, after the US State Department officially characterized “unjust detention” his pretrial detention by Russia.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) arrested Gershovitch last month on espionage charges widely criticized as false by the White House, other Western countries, the Wall Street Journal, dozens of media organizations and human rights groups.

The United States’ decision to designate the WSJ reporter victim of “unjust detention” means he believes the journalist was targeted primarily because he is an American citizen, and the transfer of his case from the State Department to the Office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs raises the issue’s ‘political profile’.

In response to a question about this US move today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s position that Gershkovich broke the law.

“I don’t understand what kind of innovations this new regime is introducing. As for what it means, I don’t know.” Peskov said. He said that Gershkowitz “he was arrested on his own accord and violated the laws of the Russian Federation” before adding: “That is why he is considered a suspect, but of course, the court will make the decision.”

More than 99% of criminal cases in Russia result in a conviction, and the country has long been criticized by human rights groups for a lack of judicial independence.

Russia has not presented any evidence to support the case against Gershovitch, which is proceeding in secret, as Russia says the details of the case are classified.

Next week, a court will hear an appeal by Gershkovich’s legal team against the decision to remand him until May 29 in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison.